AHHHH 2-bus compression... my favourite topic
I too like many others am still in the honey moon period of the C2...... i hope io dont get sick of it cos it really is fantastic. It really is the bizzo for the
2-bus compression and also a bit of tracking. As Jules so rightly said you really need to know how an why this compressor operates(like all good compressors) becuase it can be rather savage to your mixes if you really are not too carefull will flatten your mix before u know it and make it sound like it has been through a whole chain of FM radio limters.. but having said that it is THE sound of a comercial 'polished' record. U must know this compressor inside out o make it work best for you, only then will all the tumblers on the 'compression safe' open up the vast potential of this compressor and the results will then speak for themselves.
RE: Lord Alges ..... i met TLA recently when he was in Melbourne mixing a few tracks for some buddies of mine and boy does he dig compression... yeah i know he has like 51 compressors back at his studio in Miami but he LOVES distressors they are the signature component of the LA sound for both CLA and TLA... they are serious EL8 slutz. But it still sounds great so who cares?
As for other faves on the stereo bus. I recently got a manly variable MU. VERY NICE..... no where as agressive or 'upfront' as a smart C2 but its like smothering a mix completely in a fine layer of swiss choclate 9 or soemthing else that is refined and sweet sounding whilst addding a glueing or compounding fucntion) It has a slight euophonic and Hi Fi sound and is pretty damn transparent and has a quality 15dB makeup gain ouput amp. Just adds that glue to make the mix sit and gell. Tres` Bien!!!!
Avalon 747 is not too bad either but definately from the subtle camp like the variable MU. The compression charactersitics are very slow and gentle and the same goes with the attack and release, so much so that i genreally find it to be relagated to tracking instruments with gentle parts rather than doing any severe 'taming'. I have had great results from setting up the C2 to get the mix all punchy and vibey and then piping that into 747 for more gentle gain redultion, level and Eq..... the EQ is the best thing about the 747, i use to do some gentle sculpting and adding a bit of air to mixes , whilst removing some 'offending' frequencies.
BTW: has anyone tried the new API 2500 stereo comp... i have read that it is meant to whoop some major ass but i cant find one locally and the local oz ditributor does nothave one in stock yet.....opinions pls.....
ALSO.... i have about to move my studio in with a mate who has a neve baby and another variable MU.....as well as enough outboard to reach the moon and back...I am going to do a mix out of both Alishad and 2" through first variable Mu into smart C2 then into second variable Mu to 1/4" ATR100. I will let you know how it goes and may even put up some MP3's or something if enough people are interested?
PEACE
Wiggy
